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Stories

Although music therapy is gaining recognition both internationally and here in Canada, it is still seldom funded by government programs. This makes our goal of making music therapy more accessible and affordable critically important. Since 1993, we have helped fund more than 400 music therapy programs across Canada. Our funding supports the growth and availability of music therapy in four ways.

Clinical programs: to bring music therapy to more people in more communities across the country.

Research programs: to explore and scientifically establish the impact and effectiveness of music therapy.

Toronto Music Therapy Centre: an accessible, affordable centre for long-term, ongoing music therapy in the community. With your support, we’d like to open more centres in more locations.

Scholarships and fellowships: to support those pursuing academic research of music therapy and careers in the field.

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Be Moved by Our Stories

Music has been a widely recognized therapeutic method for many years. Here are just a few of our stories.

Marie served for many years on the CMTTF Academic Awards review committee and over the years, she applied to the CMTTF on behalf of the women that she served and obtained a number of grants to establish music therapy at the shelter and also to purchase music instruments.

Sylvie Boisvert is a long-time music therapist and music therapy advocate in Montreal. She has been involved in translation and publication in the CAMT and for many years has dedicated time to perserving the legacy of Josée Préfontaine through the Josée Fund of the CMTTF. Sylvie works at the MAB-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre with children and has also obtained grants from the CMTTF to help serve this population. Sylvie spent time speaking with Marie on behalf of the Music Therapy Trust to talk about some of her memorable stories.

Finding Strength at Women’s Shelter in Montreal

It is with deep gratitude that I look back on 16 years of working at a women’s shelter in Montreal thanks to the support of the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund which made it possible by providing the seed fund to set up the music therapy program.

After several weeks of a pilot project, the staff at the shelter were convinced that music therapy offered an ideal way for women and children who had lived in abusive and violent situations to enter a healing journey. Auberge Transition served a multi-ethnic group. The counselors offered services in English French, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Urdhu, Marahti, Gudjerati, and Hindi. Though I cannot claim to speak most of these languages, music reached into the lives and hearts of the clients and they seemed able to share deeply through participation in the sessions. Because of the initial “seed” fund I was able to watch people “grow” from often fearful clients who came to the shelter with their identity shattered through violence. I have many stories about my clients as they grew to overcome their fears and develop confidence.

One such story is that of a small boy called Dominic. Initially Dominic reminded me of a wounded sparrow. He seemed so frail. He had lived his first years in a state of fear at home, and even at school, found himself being bullied. When I asked him what he would like to do in Music Therapy he immediately said “Could I make a Rap?” “Of course!” I told him. (Though in the back of my mind, I recalled the tough images of famous rappers.) He embarked on the process, choosing a solid beat on the keyboard and offering me all kinds of words for the script. On the first evening he wanted to share his creation with his mother. “I don’t have a good voice.” he confided to me as he waited for her to come down. In fact he had a beautiful voice! I assured him that other people would give their eye-teeth to have such a voice. Somewhat reassured he recited his rap for his mother who beamed her approval to Dominic. Over the next few weeks Dominic practised his delivery and was soon belting the improved version of the rap with great gusto, not only for his mother but also for the counselors and any other women who wished to hear him. He had become something of a star performer and he filled me in on how he felt better and got on better at school with the other kids. Our wounded sparrow had overcome some of his fears!

Another story is that of a young woman, Pauline, prone to depression and really worried about what would become of her once she moved out of the safety of the shelter. During the sixth session, Pauline was improvising on the Djembe. Her playing developed into an urgent steady pattern quite different from the tentative sounds of her first sessions. With her permission, I recorded her play so she could listen to it herself and give it a title. We discussed possible titles and what they meant for her. Finally she came up with “Moving Forward.”Later that same evening she recorded her drum pattern onto her computer so that every time she opened her computer she could be reminded of her determination to make a new life for herself.

It has been my privilege to accompany so many wonderful women and children for sixteen years at the Auberge. I look back with gratitude and an even deeper appreciation for the support of the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund for making it all possible.

Exciting News! $10k Gift Supports Music Therapy Advocacy

Exciting news! A gift of $10,000 has been received to support a new initiative to raise awareness for music therapy in healthcare and other environments. The project focus is in Quebec but the results will have applications across the country.

Thanks go out to certified music therapist, Suzanne Caron, B.Sc., MBA, MTA. Suzanne is volunteering her time to study the current means of communication and promotion of music therapy across Canada. Using her strong business background, she will afterwards work with professionals to develop a plan that will help us better advocate for music therapy – with the goal of making it accessible and available to more Canadians.

The Conductive Education (CE) Program

The Conductive Education (CE) program helps children with cerebral palsy, and other conditions that impair physical movement, to gain the skills necessary for daily living; sitting up, getting dressed and feeding themselves.

The Conductive Education (CE) program

Specially trained educators work one-on-one with the children, leading them through exercises to develop problem-solving skills and the motivation to improve their mobility and independence – one step at a time. Through generous donations, the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund was able to provide funding to place a certified music therapist in the Conductive Education program at The March of Dimes.

“CE offers a holistic approach that truly sees the whole person,” says Donna Mackay, Associate Director of National Programs for March of Dimes Canada. “Offering music therapy to our kids is a natural fit to the goals of CE and will ultimately help with our aim of improving mobility, self-esteem and a greater sense of independence for our participants.”

Working with the whole person: mind, body and spirit

Alan, a six-time Ironman Triathlete in his 50s had a major stroke that rendered him unable to talk or walk. Still in recovery after 7 years, and still unable to walk unassisted, he is clear to convey that, “Music Therapy helped me find myself when so much of me was taken away – the music therapy helped heal my voice, my hands, and my heart.”

Working with the whole person: mind, body and spirit

Alan, a six-time Ironman Triathlete in his 50s had a major stroke that rendered him unable to talk or walk. Still in recovery after 7 years, and still unable to walk unassisted, he is clear to convey that, “Music Therapy helped me find myself when so much of me was taken away – the music therapy helped heal my voice, my hands, and my heart.”

Working with anyone who has suffered an acquired brain injury knows it is sensitive work. The primary consideration of a music therapist is to address all aspects of the person sitting in front of them:

who they were – what was important to them prior to their injury and how can the music of their past access their best (happy, productive, important) memories. The MTA then uses these music-based anchors to support their client’s ongoing rehabilitation.

who they are – what do they need right now and how can music make them feel successful and motivated to continue their healing journey. When used intentionally to do so, music therapy can improve the many injuries that may result from brain injury including impairment of speech and language processing, impairment of physical abilities, impairment of cognitive processing, loss or disorganization of memory and emotional distress.

who they desire to become – what do they hope to achieve and how can music help them get there. MTAs work closely with their clients to ensure the client’s specific goals are met.

The most important aspect of the music therapist’s work is to ensure the whole person is considered during the music therapy session – that every aspect of the person is addressed – the healing of their mind, body and spirit. Music has the capabilities, and the music therapist has the training to ensure the music is used in a safe and effective manner, using specifically designed treatment plans based on individual need.

Beyond 21

Beyond 21 is a day program for developmentally disabled 21 years of age and older. Their mission is to offer a structured, meaningful, inclusive and community-based environment where dependent adults with developmental disabilities continue to thrive and grow socially, physically, emotionally, and intellectually.

Beyond 21

Jane McLaren, Clinical Grant Recipient, Beyond 21.

Beyond 21 is a day program for developmentally disabled 21 years of age and older. Their mission is to offer a structured, meaningful, inclusive and community-based environment where dependent adults with developmental disabilities continue to thrive and grow socially, physically, emotionally, and intellectually. The addition of the instruments provided by the Music Therapy Trust has allowed Beyond 21 to expand programming in two main areas; social skills and emotional expression. For social skills, drumming is teaching the ability to follow directions, attend to task, and work as a team in ways that no other activity was accomplishing. And drumming, singing, improvisation, and music overall has allowed the group an avenue for emotional expression that was lacking in the program before we had the percussion instruments and keyboard. Above all of this is the joy on their faces as they produce music and express pride in their accomplishments. Having these instruments has truly blessed this program and we are very grateful to the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund for this opportunity.

Music Therapy at End-of-Life

As a new graduate of music therapy, I found that The Grey Nuns hospital in Edmonton was keen on the idea of music therapy but did not have the necessary financial resources. I am grateful to the Trust Fund for providing seed funding for our pilot project “Music Therapy at End-of-Life”.

Music Therapy at End-of-Life

As a new graduate of music therapy, I found that The Grey Nuns hospital in Edmonton was keen on the idea of music therapy but did not have the necessary financial resources. I am grateful to the Trust Fund for providing seed funding for our pilot project “Music Therapy at End-of-Life”. With their support, I was able to design, carry out, and evaluate music therapy over a period of six months and demonstrate its effectiveness and value. The hospital was impressed with the impact of music therapy on palliative patients and families, and successfully advocated for permanent funding. From January 2006 until today, music therapy has a place on the interdisciplinary team and in the care of palliative patients. The Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund allowed the project to “get a foot in the door”. Once the hospital was able to experience music therapy and the specialized programming to support the therapeutic needs of patients, the organization advocated for its continuance.

I am very grateful for the funding I received, and for the Trust Funds’ continued efforts to foster new music therapy programs and music therapy research across Canada. To give back to the organization that supported my new career, I organized a March for Music Therapy in my own city of Edmonton. I believe it is absolutely imperative that we continue to support and fund the development of music therapy programming and research in Canada. Sheila Killoran MA, MTA, FAMI Accredited Music Therapist Tertiary Palliative Care Unit Grey Nuns Community Hospital Edmonton, Alberta Music Therapy Position – permanent, 3-days per week (2005 – current)

Sue Baines

As a Michael Cohl fellowship award winner I was grateful to be able to use the scholarship money to support two of my publications. The funding also supported my presenting at CAMT Conference 2013 and teaching to masters students at NYU and at the University of Limerick about my doctoral research into the links between Anti-Oppressive Practice and clinical music therapy practice and music therapy research practices.

Sue Baines B.Mus BMT MA FAMI MTA

From Singing to Speech

“Let me go home. I wanna go home.” These were words that “Joe,” a 50 year old man, could not say without struggling or hesitating. He was suffering from lung cancer which had spread to his brain. Following an assessment by the cancer unit’s speech-language pathologist, it was discerned that Broca’s area, a language center in the left hemisphere of the brain, had been affected.

From Singing to Speech

By Stephanie Matthews, Music Therapist in Palliative Care at the Jewish General Hospital and Speech-Language Pathologist at the Centre ambulatoire du CSSS de Laval Montreal, Quebec.

“Let me go home. I wanna go home.” These were words that “Joe,” a 50 year old man, could not say without struggling or hesitating. He was suffering from lung cancer which had spread to his brain. Following an assessment by the cancer unit’s speech-language pathologist, it was discerned that Broca’s area, a language center in the left hemisphere of the brain, had been affected. As a result, Joe’s overall cognitive functioning was relatively intact; however he had great difficulty expressing himself verbally. This lack of expressive command frustrated him, as he could no longer verbalize his thoughts, feelings, and emotions clearly. Through the use of therapeutic song choice and other music therapy interventions, Joe became able to express himself through music, and as a result, he was able to sing his hopes, fears, and desires. Working collaboratively, the music therapist provided the musical medium which allowed Joe to express himself fluently, while the speech-language pathologist worked with Joe to help transfer this fluency from singing to speech. Before his death, Joe was not only able to sing his favourite song to his brother, but he was also able to tell him, without struggling or hesitating, that he loved him.

Living out loud

One might find it hard to believe that persons affected by cancer would want to sing or that singing could possibly have a positive impact at such a difficult time. Research has shown however, that singing can reduce stress, alter perception of pain, have a positive impact on the immune system, improve mood, increase energy, and serve as an effective emotional outlet.

Living out loud

By Laurel Young, PhD, MTA Assistant Professor of Music Therapy at Concordia University in Montreal.

One might find it hard to believe that persons affected by cancer would want to sing or that singing could possibly have a positive impact at such a difficult time. Research has shown however, that singing can reduce stress, alter perception of pain, have a positive impact on the immune system, improve mood, increase energy, and serve as an effective emotional outlet. Furthermore, persons who are diagnosed with cancer often experience feelings of disempowerment and lose their sense of self-connection. Singing can serve as a powerful metaphor for finding or re-discovering one’s own “voice.” This discovery can feel even more profound when one is singing in a group with others who truly understand what you are going through. Participants find strength and inspiration in each other’s voices.

For several years, I have facilitated “Singing and Health” music therapy groups for persons affected by cancer. Participants include persons who are at various stages in their cancer journey¬–from those who are newly diagnosed to those who have been cancer free for a number of years. I once worked with a group who decided that they wanted to do a small performance for family, friends, and facility staff. For the most part, this group consisted of “non-singers” who wanted to send a clear message to themselves and to others that they were “okay” and that they were “living out loud” in spite of their cancer. The day of the concert arrived and emotions were running high. By the time the last note was sung, there was not a dry eye in the house. The singers were beaming through their tears. It was a powerful experience that none of us would soon forget. This group wrote the lyrics below and sung this verse as their final encore.

Sing (Original tune and lyrics by the Carpenters) Hear—-hear our song We are loud, we are strong—- We are living out loud We are singing out proud Hear—-hear our song Together our voices all belong Don’t worry that it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear Just sing—- sing our song

Laurel Young, PhD, MTA has been practicing music therapy for over 18 years. She is an Assistant Professor of Music Therapy at Concordia University in Montreal and is currently conducting research on the use of singing to promote health and well being with a variety of clinical populations.

Jim’s story : Finding his voice

Jim was a 60 year old man who was recovering from a stroke when he was referred for music therapy. At that time he was living on a rehabilitation unit of a Toronto hospital. Jim was six-feet tall, sat in a wheelchair and had limited mobility. He had completely lost the ability to speak including the motor skills required to move his mouth in order to form words.

Jim’s Story: Finding his voice

By Erin Connor, BMT, MTA Accredited Music Therapist with the Music Therapy Centre in Toronto.

Jim was a 60 year old man who was recovering from a stroke when he was referred for music therapy. At that time he was living on a rehabilitation unit of a Toronto hospital. Jim was six-feet tall, sat in a wheelchair and had limited mobility. He had completely lost the ability to speak including the motor skills required to move his mouth in order to form words.

After a music therapy assessment Jim, his wife and I set goals for his music therapy sessions. These included expressive communication and motor goals. This story focusses on expressive communication, specifically Jim’s goal to verbalize multiple words while singing or speaking.

Familiar music played a key role in his weekly music therapy sessions. Jim remembered lyrics to songs like “You Are My Sunshine”, “My Bonnie” and “Eight Days a Week”. Right from the beginning, he was encouraged to make the correct mouth formation associated with the target word. For example, if the word was “sunshine”, I paused and waited for Jim to imitate the correct mouth movement before continuing.

After two sessions, in addition to making the correct mouth formation, Jim was able to sing one target word within the song. Jim continued to progress as the weeks went by and eventually he was able to sing all of the words to “You Are My Sunshine”. After practicing mouth formations and singing words within the music, Jim began saying more words outside of the session. After four months of working together, we were able to joke and converse together using short sentences of up to 6 words. It was exciting to see Jim’s progress and hear him speak to his wife again.

Caryanne

“With Caryanne, she responds very well to music because it’s one of her only ways to connect with the world. When she touches the instruments and there is a sound coming out of it, then she is an actor in this world instead of being just passive or receptive in her bed.“ Caryanne is a blind infant at the palliative care unit in Montreal.

Friends of Music

It’s Friday morning and the doorbell at the Music Therapy Centre begins to ring. Each time, a different Wheeltrans driver is at the door, accompanied by one of the six vibrant men and women who gather every Friday morning for music therapy. These are “The Friends of Music” and their enthusiasm is boundless.

Friends of Music continues thanks to Paul Stobbs Fund

The Paul Stobbs Fund keeps Friends making their music

By Erin Gross

It’s Friday morning and the doorbell at the Music Therapy Centre begins to ring. Each time, a different Wheeltrans driver is at the door, accompanied by one of the six vibrant men and women who gather every Friday morning for music therapy. These are “The Friends of Music” and their enthusiasm is boundless. They arrive smiling and immediately begin to catch up with each other on the past week’s events. Soon after that, the music making begins.

The Friends of Music have been gathering at the Music Therapy Centre for over ten years. Some even participated in music therapy as young children under the guidance of music therapy pioneer and the Centre’s founder, Fran Herman. Currently, the group consists of three women and three men, all of whom have a variety of physical issues as a result of cerebral palsy. In music therapy, each Friend of Music has the opportunity to discover and develop his/her own unique potentials rather than being defined by disability or limitations. Participants are encouraged to express how they feel, through music and words, and they provide unfaltering support to each other during good and bad times. The Friends of Music love to explore musical instruments, many of which have been adapted so that they are fully accessible. They have composed original songs, made recordings, and have accumulated a repertoire of memorized songs that constantly keeps the music therapist on her toes. When describing what this group means to them, members state that this is their “home” and their “lifeline.” “We need it and we need each other.”

The Friends of Music would not exist without the support of the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund in partnership with some very generous donors who have directed funds toward this group. The Paul Andrew Stobbs Fund was initiated by Paul’s mother Patricia, in loving memory of her son, who passed away in February 1999 at the age of 37. Paul was a young man with a developmental disability, who faced challenges, life, and all those he knew with an infectious enthusiasm. He demonstrated a particular sensitivity for persons with disabilities, especially in his job at the Hugh MacMillan Centre. His family and friends will always remember his laughter, his warm embrace, and his great love of music. Paul’s family felt that supporting the Friends of Music would be a perfect way in which to honour his memory.

The Friends of Music are incredibly grateful for all of the support that they receive. The opportunity to make music together and maintain close friendships is vital to their ongoing quality of life. Please contact the Music Therapy Centre if you would like to support “The Friends of Music.”

Chin Injeti

“Music therapy literally saved my life,” Vancouver-based music producer and songwriter Chin Injeti said. “It taught me how to rehabilitate myself.” Injeti, who has won a Grammy for his work with rapper Eminem, had polio as a child. He had to learn how to use wheelchairs and crutches in order to walk again, and music therapy was instrumental in helping him to adapt.

L’Arche

Brian

At four, Brian demonstrated all the typical symptoms of autism. At his first music therapy session, Brian willingly entered the music room. He turned off the lights and began ritualistic rocking movements under a chair. His therapist went to the piano and began to mirror rhythmically and melodically his body movements. Copying his movements would not only make him aware of himself but would also tell him in a musical sense that his therapist wanted to understand him and to enter his world.

Brian

By Dr. Johanne Brodeur

At four, Brian demonstrated all the typical symptoms of autism. At his first music therapy session, Brian willingly entered the music room. He turned off the lights and began ritualistic rocking movements under a chair. His therapist went to the piano and began to mirror rhythmically and melodically his body movements. Copying his movements would not only make him aware of himself but would also tell him in a musical sense that his therapist wanted to understand him and to enter his world. Brian never stopped rocking that first session.

For the first few sessions there was little change… then, one day Brian came closer and reached out and touched his therapist’s hand, saying in his monotone voice, “We don’t want anyone to see us.” From then on, Brian and the therapist explored the music room together.

In one session, they looked at a celestial map while listening to Holst’s “The Planets”. Another day, they played instruments sitting under a blanket. Later, the therapist developed a game improvising music to letters of the alphabet and adjectives (A is for angry, etc.).

Brian’s parents eventually bought him a small electric piano that he slept with, as if it were a teddy bear. When he had bad dreams, his parents would hear the piano playing quietly in the night.

With time, Brian began to verbally express feelings, thoughts, and concerns. He graduated from elementary school reading, writing, and most importantly, having made one friend. Music not only gave Brian the bridge to communication, but also the strength to take on challenges and try novel experiences.